The straight answer, for now, remains elusive. In his announcement, Blatter said that he pushed forward with Friday’s election because he believed it was best for the organization, though he didn’t elaborate how.

While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football – the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA.

Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA president until that election.

He urged the organization’s executive committee to hold an election for his successor prior to the scheduled FIFA Congress next May. In the meantime, Blatter added, he plans to focus on “driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts.”

“We need deep-rooted structural change,” he said.

Blatter started working at FIFA in 1975 and has been president of the organization since 1998. Last Wednesday, the US Department of Justice released a 47-count indictment that included racketeering conspiracy and corruption, accusing nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives, ABC News reported. Among those caught in the net were current FIFA vice presidents Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner.

Public reaction to Blatter's announcement has varied from joy to sarcasm to skepticism. Grant Wahl, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, questioned whether Blatter’s resignation would lead to any real change within FIFA, while Gary Neville, coach for the English national soccer team, kept his remarks brief.

Great day for world soccer. But can FIFA be trusted to vote in a legitimate reformer to replace Blatter? The structure itself is rotten.

Following Blatter’s announcement, FIFA released a statement on its website, saying that its ethics committee would continue to ensure compliance with the organization’s code of ethics, regardless of who was president.

“The body’s independence from the President, regardless of who is exercising this function, is a key part of good corporate governance,” the statement reads.